OSHA Inspection: PHB, INC. - DIE CASTING DIVISION AND CORPORATE HQ

Issued

Sep 8, 2006

Abate by

Mar 31, 2007

Penalty

Initial $3,150 · Current $1,575 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer did not
furnish employmnent and a place of employment which were free from
recognized hazards that
were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to
employees in that employees
were exposed to third degree burns from molten aluminum:
a.) Aluminum Die Casting Area - Employees were exposed to the open molten
aluminum
holding pots located near the aluminum die casting machines.  The pots
were not equipped with
any barrier guarding nor awareness signs to alert employees of the burn
hazard of molten
aluminum.
FEASIBLE ABATEMENT METHODS:
Among other methods, feasible and acceptable methods to correct the
condition include:
1. Install perimeter guarding around molten aluminum holding pots to
prevent
unauthorized access to the area, as described in NADCA Publication #912
Safety Requirements for the Design, Manufacture, Maintenance and Operation
of
Die Casting Machine, NADCA Publication E908, Die Casting Safety and ANSI
Standard Z241.2, Safety Requirements for Melting and Pouring of Metals in
the
Metalcasting Industry.
2. Warming covers should remain on the pots while machine is in use to
provide
further protection.
3. Appropriate hazard warning signs should be utilized as described in
NADCA
Publication #915, Recommended Safety Signs for Die Cast Machines and
Related
Equipment.